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Well, here I am analyzing covers again for my favorite comics, but apparently this is what happens when I get bored. X-Factor is quite possibly one of the best books out right now and has gotten there under the careful guidance of Peter David as it's writer. Now, though, I'm not talking about writers, I'm talking lay-out. The first thing of importance that I notice here is the balancing of the M's on both Jamie Madrox and Layla Miller's cheek. These M's come from a future trip during the Messiah Complex and where give to the characters in basically mutant consentration camps. The parallel set up of these M's then are designed to hint at the most pivotal part of the inherent treachery. Here we have Layla with her hand on Doom's shoulder showing an inherent familiarity with him and Madrox, her one time, possible lover is on the ground with the rest of the team at least unconscious. Also, Layla's chewing of the bubblegum serves as both to show the reader that this is most likely Layla Miller as this level of ease has been a defining part of her character, and two to show her specifically at ease and in control of the situation around Doom.

As far as the characters positioning is conscerned, here we see a rather common tactic in comics, namely the "heroes are over powered and might be dead, so read me" ploy. Not only are most of the team unconscious they are also situated below Doom, inherently giving him authority over them. In addition to this, the characters are upside down, showing that they have been literally overthown by Doom's might. Now is the team defeated? Probably not, but the chance that they might is supposed to be enough to get people to buy the book.